GB2305152A - Trolley - Google Patents

Abstract

A dual purpose trolley comprises an elongate base 1 shaped to nest with similar trolleys (figure 2), uprights 5 at each end of the base, a hanger bar 8 between the uprights and at least one tray 12 hinged at the base of one of the uprights and movable between a raised position alongside one of the uprights and a lowered position resting on the base 1. The base may be Z-shaped in plan to facilitate nesting (figure 2). A permanent bar 10 may join the tops of the uprights. The hanger bar may be adjustable in height between hooks 7 and be provided with stops 9. Catches 13 may be provided to hold the trays in the raised position. The uprights may be provided with handles 11. The trays can be used to carry boxes and the hanger and/or permanent bars may be used to carry hanging clothes, especially in shops.

Description

"ImDrovements relating to Trolleys This invention relates to trolleys.

In large shops and department stores the showrooms have to be regularly replenished from the stockroom. Generally, trolleys are used to convey the goods, and there are two main kinds. One is a mobile rack for hanging clothing, and the other is simply a box or platform on wheels for conveying other goods. This use of two types of trolley is not particularly efficient, and it is the aim of this invention to provide a dual purpose one which can perform both functions, and yet still be neatly stowable with other trolleys of the same kind.

According to the present invention there is provided a dual purpose trolley comprising an elongate base having generally sideways nesting capability with the base of a similar trolley, uprights at each end, a hanger bar between the uprights, and a tray hinged at the base of one of the uprights and movable between a raised position alongside the associated upright and a lowered position where it rests horizontally on the base.

Preferably, there wil be two such trays, one associated with each upright, and this will generally be assumed to be the case hereafter.

The trays will be raised to enable the nesting; they would otherwise interfere with this and only allow the trolleys to be parked side by side, without overlap. The trays can be left in the raised position when the trolley is used for conveying clothing on hangers. For another mode they are swung down, and the trolley may then be used solely for carrying boxes or both for carrying boxes and short articles of clothing hung above them.

Conveniently, the base will be generally Z-shaped in plan, the diagonal providing the support for the lowered trays. There will usually be catch means to hold the trays in the raised positions, and these could be magnetic catches on the uprights when the trays are metallic.

In the preferred form, the hanger bar is adjustable in height. Each upright may have two parallel members spaced apart in the transverse direction and the hanger bar passes between them to be supported by hooks which project partially across the gap between said members. There will be two, or even more, sets of hooks at different vertical positions for the bar to be adjusted in height. Stops will preferably be provided at each end to prevent significant longitudinal movement of the bar and thus escape from the uprights. For rigidity, and for providing a permanent hanger bar, the uprights may be spanned by a fixed bar between their tops.

Conveniently, the uprights will be provided with handles by which the trolley can be pushed and steered, and these may project laterally.

For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a dual purpose trolley, Figure 2 is a plan view of the trolley, and Figure 3 is an end elevation of the trolley.

The trolley has an elongate base 1 of generally Z-form as seen in plan. The cross members of the Z are rectangular frames 2 and they are joined by a substantial diagonal beam 3. The trolley runs on castors 4 underneath the frames 2.

At each end an upright 5 extends vertically from the centre of the associated frame 2. It primarily consists of two parallel bars 6 spaced apart in the transverse direction. One of these bars 6 carries hooks 7 extending about half way across the gap between the bars 6 and providing alternative cradles for a hanger rod 8. There could be more than two pairs of hooks. This rod 8 can be lifted out of one pair of hooks 7 and re-set in the other pair, as illustrated by the full and broken lines in Figure 1. The ends of the rod 8 beyond the uprights S have discs 9 fitted of a diameter greater than the gap between the bars 6 so that the rod cannot escape lengthwise. The structure is made more rigid by a further bar 10 extending between the tops of the uprights 5 and permanently secured to them.At about the mid height, the uprights are equipped with laterally projecting handles 11 welded or otherwise secured to the outsides of the bars 6.

A tray 12 is hinged to each frame 2 about a transverse axis just inside the upright 5. These trays can be moved between lowered positions where they rest on the diagonal beam 3 and meet (or virtually so) at the centre of the trolley, and raised positions where they stow against the uprights 5. They are held there by catches 13, and with metal trays 12 they are conveniently magnetic catches.

When clothing only is to be conveyed, it does not matter whether the trays 12 are raised or lowered. For long dresses, the rod 8 is at the upper, full line position. But for short clothing (such as jackets) the rod 8 can be set at the lower, dotted line position and the clothing can be hung from that and from the bar 10.

When boxes or other solid goods are to be carried, the rod 8 is moved to the upper position and the trays 12 are lowered to receive the boxes. If they are stacked to no more than the mid-height of the uprights 5, the rod 8 can still be used to carry short clothing.

When the trolley is out of use, it may be stowed with similar trolleys by raising the trays 12 and nesting it sideways as indicated by the broken lines in Figure 2.

While two trays 12 are preferred, it would be possible to have just one long tray to cover the base and to stow against one upright. It could be provided with a slot from its free transverse edge to about its centre so that the bar 8 could be set at its lower position with the tray raised.

Claims (10)

1. A dual purpose trolley comprising an elongate base having generally sideways nesting capability with the base of a similar trolley, uprights at each end, a hanger bar between the uprights and a tray hinged at the base of one of the uprights and movable between a raised position alongside the associated upright and a lowered position where it rests horizontally on the base.

2. A trolley as claimed in Claim 1, wherein there are two such trays, one associated with each upright.

3. A trolley as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the base is generally Z-shaped in plan, the diagonal providing the support for the lowered tray or trays.

4. A trolley as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein there are catch means for holding the or each tray in its raised position.

5. A trolley as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the hanger bar is adjustable in height.

6. A trolley as claimed in Claim 5, wherein each upright has two parallel members spaced apart in the transverse direction and the hanger bar passes between them to be supported by hooks which project partially across the gap between said members.

7. A trolley as claimed in Claim 6, wherein stops are provided at each end to prevent significant longitudinal movement of the hanger bar and thus escape from the uprights.

8. A trolley as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the uprights are spanned by a fixed bar between their tops.

9. A trolley as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the uprights are provided with handles by which the trolley can be pushed and steered.

10. A dual purpose trolley substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.